^{October 06, 2025 | Edition #147}

👋 Hey, Hoophead!

What an eventful weekend! Before we move ahead, just a quick reminder: if the Aces stay this hot, we might’ve just witnessed the final weekend of the WNBA this season. The chances are bleak, though.

For now, we all thought Phoenix had the edge here, right? They had an extra day of rest after sweeping Minnesota in four, while the Aces had to battle the Fever in a tough five-game series. That rest should’ve mattered, especially in a Finals series. But two games in, that advantage is nowhere to be found. The Aces have gone up 2-0, but they did that by tearing Phoenix’s confidence to pieces.

Vegas' “Big 3” Put On a Big Show

The Aces took turns showing off on Sunday. While Game 1 was a total bench takeover, in Game 2, the “Big 3” put on a clinic, combining for 70 of the Aces’ 91 points.

A’ja Wilson (28 pts, 14 reb) tied for the most 20+ point games in playoff history, Chelsea Gray (10 pts, 10 ast) became just the fifth player in Finals history to notch double-digit assists in consecutive games, and Jackie Young (32 points) shattered multiple records [More on that later].

History was made on Phoenix’s side too, as Alyssa Thomas became the all-time playoff assist leader, but clearly wasn’t herself. And even though Kahleah Copper led the team with 23 points, she was a game-worst -21 on the floor. Satou Sabally (22 pts, 9 reb) tried to spark a fourth-quarter comeback, but the Aces’ defense wasn’t having any of it.

One moment pretty much summed up Phoenix’s frustration with Vegas’ suffocating defense. Remember in Game 1 when AT and DeWanna Bonner were left visibly frustrated with Sabally’s antics? Well, this time it was the Aces’ Game 1 star, Dana Evans, who got under the skin of Bonner. Check out what Bonner did to Evans.

Final score: 91-78!

The Mercury have a lot of questions to answer, like: how did we let a slow start by Las Vegas slip away? How did we fumble that second quarter (outscored 22-10)? And how on earth did A’ja Wilson torch us for 20 points before halftime?

Sure, they tried….Phoenix tightened up on Wilson in the third, holding the MVP to just two shots. But that left Jackie Young free to feast, and she exploded for 21 points in the third quarter, the most points in a quarter in Finals history!

Now it’s time for a change of scenery as the series heads to the Valley. “We’re excited to get back home,” Copper said. Sure, the Aces’ trio magic can’t happen every night, but they know how to roll out a Plan B when needed.

So on Wednesday night, Phoenix will need their core to show up big, rediscover their bench and 3-point shooting (17.9% in Game 2) if they want to stay alive in this series, because things are already starting to feel heavy!

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Leaving the Crowd in Awe!

‘Point Gawd’ things. It feels like Chelsea Gray hits the court just to remind everyone why she’s a magician with the ball. This time, out of nowhere, with every defender locked on her and right in front of Alyssa Thomas, she pulled off a silky-smooth no-look pass to A’ja Wilson under the rim.

The “oohs” and “aahs” from the crowd tell the whole story. Check out this brilliant pass by Gray!

Unicorn show. We already know the Aces’ defense gave the Mercury trouble all night. But for one shining moment, Satou Sabally (22 pts, 9 reb) put the D on skates. With Young glued to AT on the perimeter, Sabally drove to the paint. Two defenders - Chelsea Gray and Megan Gustafson - tried to swarm her, but obviously, the unicorn had no problem. She orchestrated this beautiful floater.

That was tough, Jackie! The whole game felt like a Jackie Young highlight reel, but maybe this one particular play will stick in our heads for days. Cool as ever, Young brought the ball up, hit Monique Akoa Makani with a nasty crossover that had her dancing, drove through two defenders, and finished it one-handed as she hit the floor.

The crowd, commentators, and her teammates were all left in awe, but Chelsea Gray’s reaction was absolutely everything! Watch this bit of Young’s greatness!

The Quiet Spark: Jackie Young

Go ask Jackie Young when she first picked up a basketball, and she’ll probably tell you she doesn’t remember. But maybe that’s the magic of it. The game has always been part of her. One day, she wandered into her backyard, watched her older brother play, and thought, “This looks fun.” Just curiosity.

And look where that curiosity led… two WNBA championships, four All-Star nods, and two Olympic Gold medals.

After Game 1, when Jackie had a bit of an off night, Becky Hammon laughed and said, “I could never be mad at Jackie.” Well, Young gives her no reason to be. Sure, the box score only showed 10 points next to her name, but there was a reason for it, one that only a coach who really gets her player could understand. You’ll want to hear from Hammon!

Then came Game 2, and as you read earlier, Jackie went off! Along with the Finals’ single-quarter points record, she…

• set the franchise record for points in a Finals game

• became only the second player in WNBA Finals history to score 30+ points in the first three quarters.

But it’s not surprising, to be honest. This is Jackie we’re talking about - a core part of the Aces for years. She averaged 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in the regular season, and somehow managed to level up in the playoffs: 20.1 points, 4.8 boards, 4.9 assists. She made sure Kelsey Plum’s absence didn’t slow the team down one bit.

She might look calm and quiet, but that fire’s always there. No wonder she’s the coach’s “fav child” and most loved… though her teammates don’t seem to trust her, as they crowned her with this crazy title.

Well, jokes aside, all in all, if Wilson is the engine behind this year’s Aces turnaround, Young is the fuel. And we’re sure she is yet to surprise us in more spectacular ways.

Wilson’s Favorite Is in the House! A’ja Had Extra Motivation to Go Off

Our Hoop Stars Take Over the Football Field

While the WNBA Finals are still in full swing, our women’s basketball stars were lighting up football fields this weekend. Paige Bueckers, enjoying her first WNBA offseason, was spotted cheering on Colorado as they faced TCU at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, on the pro field, romance sparks might’ve flown. Well, sort of. Atleast that’s what fans thought when JuJu Watkins celebrated the Washington Commanders’ win with her QB boyfriend, Jayden Daniels, at SoFi Stadium. Here’s a peek at their sweet interaction!

And our Fever girls brought some serious luck to the Indianapolis Colts. Caitlin Clark and company watched the Colts dominate the Oakland Raiders 40–6 on Sunday. The Colts also honored the players before the game with a gesture. Check it out here!

The offseason spottings have begun!

1. Officiating Puts Alyssa Thomas Under the Microscope as Coach Nate Tibbets Shifts Tone - Full Story

2. Colts Leave Fans Fuming After Curious Caitlin Clark Post Delete - Full Story

3. Ja Morant Couldn’t Stay Silent After A’ja Wilson’s GOAT-Level Show - Full Story

4. The Fever Used for Throwing Shade at Mercury’s Finals Disaster - Full Story

5. Alyssa Thomas’ Rare WNBA Playoffs Link to Aces HC Becky Hammon - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

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